Who Loves Wedding Cake?

How many of you love wedding's? How about wedding cake? There is just something that is so delicious about a wedding cake. What makes it so good? Is it the whole day with all of the beauty, excitement, joy, romance, and love that is in the air? Possibly. Yes. I think it does play a big part in what makes the cake and all of the other delightful treats taste so much more yummy.
So, how would you like a recipe for such a cake? I have one you know and it is so wonderful that you can make it for a wedding cake, birthday cake or anytime cake when you just get a craving. It is pretty durable for stacking too. The best part....it's versatile, quick and easy. I used it for the two cakes that you see below. A BIG hit!

Chocolate Groom's Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting and Fondant UGA G.

Bride's cake with yellow layers and traditional butter cream frosting.

Enjoy playing around with the recipe. I think you will like it.

Easy Cake Layers

1 box cake mix white, chocolate, etc...

1 box instant pudding mix (I use the same flavor as the cake mix)

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

Mix all ingredients together until blended. Mix 2 more minutes on medium speed.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

Use your favorite frosting and dig in. Don't forget the milk on the side!

Best Ever Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanuuuuut Peanut Butter.....

What better way to start of this beautiful month of September than with a sweet, creamy, melt in your mouth peanut butter cookie recipe and a few pictures to make you drool.

This is the best PB cookie recipe ever. I love adding the morsels to it for a little extra PB flavor.

2 c. AP flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 c. dark brown sugar

1 1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 c. butter, softened

3 eggs slightly beaten

1 c. creamy peanut butter

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 c. peanut butter morsels

Mix dry ingredients and set aside.

Blend together sugars and butter. Add the eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla until fluffy.

On low speed add dry mixture until barely mixed with wet. Add morsels and blend well.

Drop by the Tablespoon 2 " apart onto baking sheet.

Using a fork dipped in sugar, make a criss-cross pattern on each cookie.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool on flat surface or wire rack.

Want a better look? Here you go! Sorry, I'm out of virtual napkins ENJOY!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hey Y'all! Just a quick post tonight. I have been hard at work for 3 days on this cake for my Dad's 63rd birthday. Isn't this little guy just the cutest. :)


He is made out of fondant as well as the road. The cake is covered in butter cream with a milk chocolate ganache filling. Yummy!

Okay....so here goes nothing....

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Daddy! Happy Birthday to you.

Did you guys like my singing? HeeHee!

Happy Birthday to any and everyone with a Birthday this month.


Lot's of Love and Yummy Baking!


The Cookie Girl

Stubb' Style Giveaway Ending Soon

Just a reminder to scoot on over to my Frying Bacon Naked Blog and enter to win the Stubb's Style giveaway. An entire case of Stubb's grilling and BBQ sauce is up for grabs. Entry deadline ends tonight at Midnight!

Garden Dibble?

Garden dibble anyone? Do you even know what a garden dibble is? I sure didn't. Not until I won it during Lucy and Shawnee's garden apron swap. This thing is too cool for school and I absolutely love it! It is an old time garden tool used for making holes to plant your seeds and plants in the garden. It is handcrafted by a company out of Nashville ,TN called Wood Elements. Click their name here and check out all of their beautiful handcrafted items in their Etsy shop.

You can even get a dibble for yourself.

As soon I opened the box today I wanted to use it. Luckily I had bought some onion bulbs to plant. My picture shows a little dirt on it. That's because it was put to work getting those onions in the ground. This thing really does the job.

So check out Wood Elements and tell em' that the Cookie Girl sent you.

A Humdinger of a Cookie (This ones for you Suzi)

It's may not officially be Summer yet but It is definitely close around here. I know some of you are already having 100 degree weather. Whew!

Who wants to heat their kitchen in HOT HOT weather? Not me! So today I am offering up a Humdinger of a cookie that is No-Bake. Now this is a bit of a Holiday thing but who cares? When you are craving a cookie in 100 degree weather, this one will fit the bill.

So whip up a batch and get outta that kitchen y'all. It's Summer Time!

PS. I will be adding more no bake cookies for the Summer.

Krispie Skillet Cookie Photo by Linda Larsen

Humdingers

(Also known as Krispie Skillet Cookies)

1 stick butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

8 oz. chopped dates

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

1 tsp vanilla

1 box confectioners sugar

Melt butter, add sugar,dates,nuts and salt. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat. (Don't over cook or they will be glazed) Remove from heat and add rice krispies and vanilla. Mix well with wooden spoon. When cool enough to touch roll into 1 inch balls and then roll in confectioners sugar.

Tada! A Quick No Bake Treat! Enjoy!

Summer BBQ and Stubbs Giveaway

Alright all you loyal followers of mine. My second blog is offficially up and running and will be full of fun posts,reviews and giveaways each week. I have my very first one today.

Check it out here at Frying Bacon Naked.

Stubb's BBQ is offering up a whole case of sauces for the prize. That's alotta grilling this Summer. YUMMO!

I hope to see you all there.

xoxo

The Cookie Girl

The Apron Goddesses: D-Lux 57 Apron Giveaway-Choose Your Apron Ladies!

TAG has teamed up with D-Lux 57 for another fab apron giveaway. Check it out here for a chance to win.

The Apron Goddesses: D-Lux 57 Apron Giveaway-Choose Your Apron Ladies!

Remembering and Honoring

As we are blessed to enjoy this day with our families and our friends let us remember those who so bravely gave their lives so that we may have this freedom and safety that so many do not know.

Today, I am honoring these great men and woman who fought to keep our country free. I am honoring those who have died, those who survived, and those who are still fighting and protecting.

To every American Soldier I say this... I am blessed to be a free American citizen. The pride for my country runs deep and I am forever grateful to each and every brave soldier for this.

Not only today but everyday, I will pray for you, for your families, for your safety.

Thank you for giving so unselfishly of yourselves for my freedom.

May God bless you.

Refashion Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another adorable dress by Grosgrain. Check out her blog for a chance to win this Refashion Frock.

Grosgrain: Blueberry Pie Refashion Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

What about Strawberries

I woke up extremely early (for me) yesterday, 6:30 to be exact. Rolled out of bed and straight into my husbands diesel work truck. Chloe' and I decided to spend the day at my Mom's while Mr. Cookie worked. Chloe' loves to play with her cousins and I really enjoy the time with my Mom.
We took pictures around her house of different things. I was happy to show off my Camera skills or lack there of. LOL I think she enjoyed it. She was running around finding fun things to place together for me to photograph. We got a kick out of this one. Now before you judge, and wonder why the toilet is outside in the field, I have to say that it was removed from the bathroom and replaced with a new shiny one. We just happen to move it around and get a funny picture of it before it was hauled off.
Mom made a funny, and said she was "Going Green" LOL


We then moved to prettier things like these yummy Tennessee Strawberries. TennGa berries to be exact. They are grown on the Tennessee Georgia line in none other than a town called Tenga.
After all the photo fun I sat out on the patio cutting the berries up to make Strawberry Jam. It was such a gloriously beautiful day for this. The breeze blowing and warm sun on my face really relaxed me.
We were making jam ,cooking, dinner, and dessert at the same time. Surprisingly it all went smoothly with 6 kids running around. :)
We had fried chicken, pinto beans, Mexican cornbread and tea for dinner. And for dessert.....Cream cheese Pound Cake with fresh macerated strawberries and freshly made whip cream.

Of course I took a picture! What kind of questions is that? LOL


I'll even give you the recipe, cause I'm nice like that. It is the one my Grandmother makes all the time. Hope you like it.
So that was my Marvelous Monday. How was yours?

(This recipe can be baked in loaf pans as well. It will not hurt the results)

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 sticks butter softened

3 cups sugar

1-8 oz. pkg cream cheese

2 tsp. vanilla

6 eggs

2 3/4 cups AP Flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and flour bundt pan


Combine flour,salt and soda in bowl and whisk together until well sifted.


In separate mixing bowl combine all other ingredients and blend well. Raise mixer speed to medium high and mix for about 4 minutes until really fluffy.
Return to slow speed and add flour mixture a little at a time until well blended.

Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Use a knife to loosen edges and remove from pan. Cool on serving plate or wire rack.

Top each serving with fresh berries and whip cream.

Coffee Cake Recipe Throw Down and Contest Entry

I am so psyched about this awesome giveaway Maman and Gourmand is sponsoring. It really brings out the foodie in me. :) So much, that I entered the Recipe Throw down for extra entries.
Carole Walter has even offered a cookbook for the giveaway. The cover itslef makes me want it.
Check out her site here. Carole Walter



Here is my recipe and picture for the entry. Confession....this is the first coffee cake I have ever made. The recipe is pretty good but I am sure I can do better next time I just have to tweak it a little more. Nonetheless, try it out and let me know what you think. Wish me luck on the entry too. WooHoo!

Rise and Shine Coffee Cake Mini's

3/4 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups sour cream

3 cups AP flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Filling

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour mini bunt pans

Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in large mixer bowl.

Beat until fluffy.

Combine flour,salt,soda, and baking powder in separate bowl

and whisk together.

Add flour and sour cream alternately into butter mixture until blended.

Combine filling mixture in small bowl.

Add a small amount of filling mixture into bottom of mini pans, then add batter half way full in each. Top with more filling and more batter.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Yields 8-10 mini coffee cakes.

Visit Maman and Gourmand for a chance to enter too!

Amazing Mother's Day Blowout Giveaway!

If you haven't been here and entered this giveaway, you must do it soon! Oh yeah, when you enter and leave a comment at Maman and Gourmand, please add my blog name to it and I will get an extra entry too.

Ranting + Old Fashion Tea Cakes

First things first, I have to rant a bit because I am so upset I can hardly see straight. My laptop CRASHED again! What in the world is going on. This is the second time this has happened. I really don't think that the Computer-Tech that worked on it last time was very techy.? Is that a word? So I gave up and ordered a new one. It really has to get here soon because I really can't handle being stationary at our desktop computer. I must be mobile!!!!

Anyway....enough of that. Let's get to what really matters. Cookies! Right? Right!

I am pulling out an Oldie but Goodie from my family recipe collection. It was my Nannies recipe (I must be missing her more than usual. I've been talking about her a lot lately.) This vintage picture brings back memories of me and my Mom baking cookies together too.

These cookies are called Old Fashion Tea Cakes but really are more like a sugar cookie. Different than most of my cookies, this one doesn't use butter but shortening instead. They are the most requested cookie that I make and seem to be the most addictive. I love dipping mine in coffee and can make myself sick on them.

Now it's your turn to try this simple recipe and share it with your family. Maybe it will become one of those family recipes that will be handed down just like ours did.

Old Fashion Tea Cakes

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup shortening

*Enough Self Rising flour to make a stiff dough (About 4 1/2 cups)

1 cup AP flour for dredging

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine sugar,eggs,vanilla,and shortening in large mixing bowl. Mix until well blended and fluffy. Add flour slowly until a stiff dough is achieved (not dry). Separate dough into 4 or 5 dough balls. Keep cover until ready to use.

Dredge or flour counter top or surface used for rolling dough. take one ball of dough and roll out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutter and place on greased or parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes. (I like mine soft, you can be the judge on how you like yours)

Cool on wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy with the family!

Grosgrain: Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! Custom Sized!

If you love cute and flirty sun dresses then you need to check out this giveaway!
Adorable, don't you think?

Grosgrain: Loose Teeth Vintage Inspired Sundress with Petticoat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! Custom Sized!

Cookies for Mother's Day!

I wish each and every Mother out there in Bloggy land a very Happy and Blessed Mother's Day. Enjoy you day with you children, family and friends. If your Mom is still with you, cherish that and give her the biggest hugs and kisses you can. She is precious!

If you really want to sweeten her up then make her some of these wonderful cookies too.

Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter,softened
3 eggs
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups peanut butter morsels

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
Blend sugar and butter until fluffy.
Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix well.
On low speed add dry mixture to wet until barely mixed.
Add morsels and blend well.
Drop by Tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
Use sugar dipped or wet fork to make crisscross pattern.
Bake 18-20 minutes. Cool on flat surface.

Enjoy!

My Vintage Things

Over the weekend I stayed with my Mom for some much needed Mother Daughter time. We had the most fun looking through all of her treasures that my Great Grandmother "Nannie" had left her.

The best part was when she gave me some of it. :)

Nannie had made a lot of quilt tops from her old dress material and anything she had around. It was neat to see some of the fabric that even came from my Mom's childhood dresses. Mom had most of them quilted and yeppers...I got one!
I was so ecstatic when she started pulling out all of the vintage fabrics and rick rack that Nannie had. Mom gave me a lot of it to make aprons with and who knows, maybe even a quilt.
See the little dutch dolls? That is a dish towel. They just don't make things like this anymore. I sure wish they did.


All of this fabric you see is at least 60 years old. Some of it is old flour sacks.

How cool is that rick rack?! I have never seen any like it. Nannie crocheted all of the time. That is just one of the little heart doilies that she made.

I washed and ironed all of the aprons that Nannie had made and worn years ago. I have many favorites and took pictures of them.
I can't get over the fabrics and her combinations of color and patterns.
Check out this one apron. It is convertible from apron to bonnet. That is just cool!

I just wanted to share a part of my family and my vintage things with you today.
Hope you enjoy seeing it all. Cookies are coming up next!

Apron Surprises

I have been out of town since Sunday and just did not have the time to do any posting.
I also had a few surprises when I returned home last night. There was a package waiting on me from my friend Suzi at Savy Suzi. Wanna know what it was? APRONS!!!!
One for me and one for the little Cookie Girl in training.
I just love them. She did a fabulous job on them both. Aren't they just adorable?Well...I really need some better pictures of us standing up but this one turned out cute. They are reversible but I only got pictures of one side. Visit her blog and she has pics of both sides. The cherries and polka dots with the ric rac are right up my alley.

Thank you Suzi from the bottom of my batter bowl...I mean heart!:)
I will cherish them forever and use them A LOT!

XOXO
The Cookie Girl & CGIT

Now I must get these pics to Julia at Apron Goddesses before she has my head! :)

Jewelry Winner

Good morning lovelies! Just a quick post to thank each and every one of you who entered my Mother's Day giveaway. Thanks so much for following and commenting.

I hope that you will stick around with me and enjoy all the cookies and sweet treats that we have here.The WINNER is...........Melissa Swisher of My Caffeinated Life.

Congratulations!!!!

I lived to tell about it

My post titled Death by Chocolate was a bit scary for me since I wasn't sure if I would live through the experience to tell about it. Well here I am World and I have to say It was the most heavenly food experience ever. LOL Okay, maybe not the most but pretty darn close. If you haven't tried the brownies yet you really should. You will thank me or hate me later. Either way you will love the brownies.

Taking ingredients from this....

To this.....

To this.....mmmmm can't you just taste them?

There must be chocolate in Heaven!

XOXO

The Cookie Girl

Remember this? Mother's Day Giveaway

I have been pondering on what to do for a giveaway for Mother's day and today I finally figured it out. Yay for me!

Do you remember my Anniversary/Martha Stewart Post? You can view it here if you missed it. Eight Amazing Years.

That is the day we went to the Atlanta Aquarium to see Martha Stewart and that is also the day that she complimented my necklaces. (Cheeezy grin goin' on here) I could kick myself for not saying anymore than thank you. I just spazzed! Anyway....I have decided to give away one of the necklace and earring ensembles that she complimented. It is called Promenade and is from the Premier Designs Jewelry line that I sell.
The beads are beautiful genuine shells,tigers eye,and faux turquoise. It is one of my favorites and one lucky reader is going to win it.Here is what you do for a entry....

1. Leave me a comment on this post (1 entry)

2. Follow me and leave a separate comment here telling me you did so (1 extra entry)

3. Blog about the giveaway and post your link here (2 extra entries)

4. Follow me on twitter thecookiegirl and tweet about the giveaway (3 extra entries)

That is 7 total chances you can earn.

This will make a beautiful Mother's Day gift or you can just keep it for yourself if you win. ( I would have a hard time parting with it) :)

So off you go...Earn those chances! I will announce the winner on Wednesday, May 6th.

Good Luck to you all!

The Apron Goddesses: Romantic Flowers and Ruffles Apron Giveaway-Aprons by Annie G

Check out this adorable apron by Annie G.

Visit The apron Goddesses for a chance to win.
The Apron Goddesses: Romantic Flowers and Ruffles Apron Giveaway-Aprons by Annie G

Educate Me Please

I had a great weekend working in the yard and planting flowers to add some color to my patio and front porch. I even bought my vegetable plants for the garden. I can't wait to get them in the ground and growing.
As I was pondering what to do with some of my rose bushes I looked at one in amazement. See, I planted 3 different roses about 4 years ago and the one that has done the best is my Silver Bell rose. It looks like a light lavender color and is the stem rose that you see in arrangements. Well, to my surprise there is also a red rose growing with my Silver Bell that I did not plant. ????? When I say it is growing with my Silver Bell, I mean that it is literally growing from the same root system. See the pictures!It really had me scratching my head. I am not an avid rose grower and I do not know much about gardening so this really had my mind going nuts.
So, I thought I would ask my Bloggy friends what caused this. Can someone out there educate me on this please?
The roses are really pretty so I am not complaining that they are there. I will just enjoy them. I just want to know what happened. :)